Red Siskin Question

[hurlz1000]

Hi There,
I have a pair of Red Siskins and after some helpful advice on this forum and the web, I have got them to nest twice now.

But I haven't successfully hatched any chicks, first time she nested at back of aviary in shrubs and notice she was always sitting on eggs but didn't hatch them.
This time she nested in a D Cup near the aviary door, she sat on eggs again but today found nest and eggs on floor, put back and she sat again, but this arvo was on floor again. Aarrhhh!!!

I have only this pair in the aviary, Should I remove the cock after the hen starts sitting on eggs?
Or should I remove eggs and foster them under Bengo's or Canaries, this would be a last resort though!
Would another hen help, if it is the cock that's doing this? But I don't like my chances of getting another hen.
Any help is appreciation.

Cheers
Steve H.

[elferoz777]

From what I hear its pot luck.

Mine nested in a finch basket and hatched two young.

My goal now is to ensure they remain alive as I have heard the young either die as the hen stops sitting or they get tossed out.

I had green singers that behaved in a similar fashion as you describe.

The advice I was given was to get another hen...the idea is that the cock is trying to drive the hen back to nest so the eggs get smashed. With 2 hens he will be too busy to worry about that hopefully.

Thats the take from my limited experience.

Good luck!

[joofler]

Hi Steve,
I had about 4 rounds of eggs and none of them hatched aswell, but mine didnt throw the nest out.
Have you had this before and know how to fix it? They were 2 different pairs that had eggs. One of these pairs had hatched eggs the season before but left the chicks.

Regards Jack

[elferoz777]

Not sure jack.....

I have heard some have had a similar experience...mad season one year then lower output the next.

Mine just fledged two from their first ever nest, one hen and one cock and they look to be going down again.

Not sure but some breeders have told me its all about the husbandry...If you purchased birds that were hand raised or fostered under canaries or other birds then you get varied results compared to those raised by their parents.

For me, I will only buy Siskins from people I trust and if they have 6000 canaries in the next aviary then I steer clear.

[BOF33]

For me, I will only buy Siskins from people I trust and if they have 6000 canaries in the next aviary then I steer clear

Breeders that practice this method are only shooting themselves in the foot in the long run

[joofler]

Hi Steve,
The pair finally hatched the eggs and have successfully reared the baby and as a bonus it is hen!
Have you found a solution for the pair throwing the nest out?

Thanks Jack